In this Issue:
Newsletter Links:
Sponsored by the
Utah Department of
Environmental Quality
DEQ Deputy Director Bill Sinclair honors graduates of the Leadership Development Group
The first Department of Environmental Quality’s Leadership Development Group graduated December 14, 2005 after successfully completing a two-year course that led to recommendations on how to improve Department communications.
Tyler Cruickshank, air modeler with the Department of Air Quality; Bill Rees, environmental scientist with the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation; Loren Morton, a section manager for the Department of Radiation Control; Renette Anderson of the Office of Planning and Public Affairs in the Executive Director’s Office; Rachael Cassady, environmental scientist with the Division of Drinking Water; Boyd Swenson, environmental engineer with the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste; and John Whitehead, branch manager of the Division of Water Quality were recognized by Bill Sinclair, deputy director of DEQ, at a luncheon with their division and office directors.
“These individuals have undertaken a course of study that has given them a broader perspective of what the Department does and an opportunity to work together with other individuals,” said Bill Sinclair, deputy director of DEQ, who was the senior manager who mentored the group. “This two-year course has given them competencies that will help them succeed.”
Participants met monthly to discuss a variety of topics that are relevant to DEQ. The curriculum is designed to apply many of the competencies directly to activities within DEQ. Classes consist of a selected representative from the Executive Director’s Office and each of the Divisions in DEQ, who are then mentored by a DEQ senior manager. Participants’ also complete leadership/employee development classes, independent studies, prepare a brown bag presentation, participate in a rotation through DEQ divisions and offices, and complete a group project. The group’s project was how to improve communications, which each Division initiated. Completion of the program takes 2 years. New classes begin in January of every year.
The Leadership Development Group arose out of an overall Leadership Development Training program intended to provide the skills to employees to prepare them for a leadership position. One employee, John Whitehead, was promoted to a branch manager while participating in the training.
“It really gave me valuable skills to help me interact with others within the Division, while also having a better understanding of the entire Department,” said Whitehead.
“I appreciated the opportunity to consider leadership issues from different perspectives,” added Renette Anderson. “I especially enjoyed the process of arriving at and implementing the group project. We had a variety of strong opinions at the table and I found the give-and-take enlightening. I developed a great respect for the other members in my group and look forward to continued association.”
In 2006, the next leadership group, headed by Brad Johnson, director of DERR, will complete its project aimed at improving communications to the non-regulatory public. In doing so, the group intends to show how the environment has improved over time – information that will be included in a “State of Environment Report” to be widely distributed to the public.